Areas of representation

Family matters involve some of the most personal decisions a client will ever make. Entitled Family & Civil Law provides clear, steady representation through divorce, legal decision-making and parenting time, support, and related proceedings, with a focus on preserving long-term relationships and outcomes wherever possible. Where settlement is the right path, we negotiate firmly. Where litigation is necessary, we prepare thoroughly.

• Divorce and dissolution of marriage

  Ending a marriage in Arizona, from the petition through the decree, including property and debt division, support, and, where there are children, legal decision-making and parenting time.

• Legal separation

  The same orders as a divorce on property, support and children, while the marriage itself stays legally in place.

• Annulment

  A court declaration that a marriage was never valid, available on specific legal grounds.

• Legal decision-making and parenting time

  What other states call custody and visitation: who makes major decisions for a child and when the child is with each parent, set by agreement or by the court under Arizona's best interests factors.

• Parenting plans

  The written schedule and rules parents follow after separation, drafted to be specific enough to actually work.

• Child support

  Establishing, modifying or enforcing support under the Arizona Child Support Guidelines, with the worksheet, the order and the income withholding order done correctly.

• Spousal maintenance

  Support between spouses during and after a divorce or legal separation, under the Arizona guidelines and the statutory factors.

• Paternity and parentage

  Establishing legal parentage and the orders that follow it: legal decision-making, parenting time and support.

• Post-decree modifications and enforcement

  Changing orders when circumstances change, and enforcing orders the other party is not following.

• Relocation

  Notice, objection and the court process when a parent wants to move with a child.

• Property and debt division

  Community property and debt, valued and divided. Retirement-division orders and the division of business entities or commercial property wait on the Court's additional qualification and are referred to an attorney until then.

• Orders of protection and injunctions against harassment

  When connected to a family matter: the petition, the hearing, and the defense.

• Third-party rights

  Legal decision-making, placement or visitation sought by a grandparent or another person who has stood in a parent's place, under A.R.S. § 25-409.

• Adoption

  Assistance with all aspects of the adoption process, from the petition through the final order, under the family law endorsement's additional qualification for adoption, which the firm holds.

• Collaborative law

  Since January 2025, Legal Paraprofessionals may represent clients in Arizona's collaborative process, where both sides commit to resolving the case outside the courtroom.

Some matters call for representation that goes beyond standard litigation. Entitled Family & Civil Law provides strategic advocacy for clients in complex negotiations, sensitive disputes, and matters where the path to resolution requires careful planning. This work draws on training in negotiation, mediation, and litigation strategy to position clients for the strongest possible outcome.

• Negotiation and mediation

  Direct negotiation with the other party or their counsel, and representation of a client in mediation and settlement conferences.

• Collaborative process

  Representation in a collaborative divorce, where both parties and their representatives commit in writing to settle outside of court.

• Litigation and trial representation

  Hearings and trials in the family, justice and municipal courts, prepared thoroughly and tried with discipline.

• Settlement strategy and drafting

  Agreements that hold up, drafted to close the gaps that bring people back to court.

• Pre-suit positioning

  Building the record and the leverage before a case is ever filed.

• Disputes with several parties

  Family and civil matters where more than two sides have a stake in the outcome.

• Confidential and sensitive matters

  Handled with discretion, at every step.